Multicolor stenciling apparatus



April 4, T939. H. w. SCHNEIDER E1- AL 2,153,435

MULTI'COLOR STENCILING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 4, 1939. .H. w. SCHNEIDER ET A1. 2,153,435

MULTICOLOR STENCLING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED ls'riirEs PATENT OFFICE 2,153,435 MULTICOLOR STENCILING APPARATUS Application July z, 1937, serial No. 151,674

9 Claims.

Ihe present invention relates to stenciling apparatus designed for use in applying vitreous enamel compositions or paints to articles of glassware such as tumblers, jars, bottles and the like,

and to other articles of a vitreous or ceramic nature in the multi-color decoration thereof by a stenciling process.

More specifically, the invention relates to a stenciling apparatus of the type employing a reciprocable stencil screen capable of movement relative to the article undergoing decoration and having permeable portions through which the decorating material is' transferred to the article by the spreading action of-a squeegee which is maintained in contact with the screen along the line of contact between the screen and surface of the article undergoing decoration.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned type which is adapted for multi-color application and which is capable of applying two or more differently colored designs, or the component colors of a single design, to opposite, adjacent, or spaced regions on the surface of an article. Toward this end, the invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus having a reciprocable stencil screen which is divided into a plurality of color applying regions through which differently colored decorating materials are respectively and simultaneously forced onto the surfaces of respective articles by the spreading action of a like number of squeegees, all of which squeegees are maintained in stationary contact with their rey spective color applying regions during reciprocation of the stencil screen. The articles are progressively operated upon in the apparatus in the diierent color applying regions of the screen and, after the last color application has been made thereon, they are removed from the apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stenciling apparatus having a reciprocable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor in which there is incorporated an improved form of automatic means for elevating the squeegee from the stencil screen upon completion of each application of decorating material to the article.

Other objects of the invention will become'apparent hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan View of a stenciling apparatus manufactured in accordance with the principles of thev present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the appa- 55 ratus shown in Fig. 1;

(01'. iol-'415) Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View, diagrammatic in its representation, of a pair of squeegee elevating devices employed in connection with the present invention.

The apparatus involves in its general organization a table or base I0 in the forr: of an elongated, substantially rectangular, casting. A bifurcated bracket II (Fig. 3) is bolted to the base IIlin the medial regions thereof and serves to support a horizontally disposed rock-shaft I2 between the furcations thereof. arm i3 has one end pivoted to the rock-shaft I2 and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to a link 3c by means of which it is suspended from and supported by a plunger latch mechanisni Id which will subsequently be described. A

. plate 'i5 is secured to the arm I3 in the medial regions thereof and a pair of article supporting units i6 are adjustably mounted on the plate I5 in spaced relationship. Opposed pairs of rollers Il and I8 serve to support therebetween the articles T to be decorated.

The entire article supporting assembly just described is adapted to be lowered byy pivotal movement of the same about the axis of the rock-shaft l2 and in order to facilitate lowering thereof, the arm i3 is connected by meansV of a link I9 to a A supporting ,15.

treadle mechanism (not shown) disposed beneath the base I0.

A pair of open, rectangular, frame-like supporting members 20 (Figs. 1 and 3), each' having laterally extending arms 2|, are bolted or otherwise secured to the table I 0 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The arms 2| serve to support therebetween a pair of front and rear transversely extending horizontal tracks 22 and 23 vrespectively which are substantially coextensive with the table I0 which they overlie.

Supported tractionally upon the tracks 22 and 23, and movable therealong in either direction transversely of the apparatus, is a stencil screen carriage 24 having associated therewith a stencil screen S adapted to occupy a position in the apparatus in tangential rolling line contact with the articles T rotatably supported on the units IB therebeneath. The carriage 24 includes supporting wheels 25' which ride upon the tracks 22 and 23 and which are mounted on a pair ofl opposed side bars 26 of the carriage. The stencil screen S is carried by an open rectangular frame 21 (Fig. 1) which is divided into two color applying regions R1 and R2 by means of a bar 28 which extends acrossthe frame 27|. Each color applying region is adapted to have placed thereon a quantity of a vitreous enamel decorating material. The material applied to the region R1 is of a different color from the material applied to the region R2 in order that the design which is applied to the article T may be of a multi-color nature. The frame 21 is supported by means of a plurality of suspension brackets 29 from the opposite pairs of `parallel side bars 26 and 3| oi' the carriage 24.

An integral extension 35 (Fig. 1) formed on the table I0 serves to support thereon a pair of v spaced uprights 36, the upper ends of which are bifurcated and overlie the rear track 23. Each upright 36 serves to support a rock-shaft 3T between the furcations thereof. A pair of squeegee arms 38 and 39 respectively are rockably mounted on the rock-shafts 31 by means of integral sleeves 40 formed on the rear ends thereof and through which sleeves'the respective rock-shafts 3l extend. A pair of squeegees S1 and S2 are carried by the squeegee arms 38 and 39 respectively and overlie the respective color applying regions R1 and R2 of the stencil screen S in operative decorating relation thereto.

The squeegees S1 and S2, which operate successively to force coloring material through the pervious portions of the screen and onto the surface of the respective articles T, in their respective color applying regions R1 and R2 of color application, are adapted to simultaneously traverse these regions upon reciprocation. of the Screen S in either direction. After the squeegees have completed their color applying operation it is necessary that the same be elevated from the coloring material on the screen prior to movement of the latter' to either of its extreme positions so that upon return movement of the screen and operative engagement thereof by the squeegees, the coloring material on the screen in the regions R1 and R2 will occupy positions in ad- Vance of the respective squeegees S1 and S2.

This clearing operation just referred to, and the maintenance of the squeegees out of contact with the screen when the latter is in either of its extreme positions is accomplished by the provision of a plurality of squeegee elevating and supporting members 4| (Fig 5) which are arranged in pairs, one pair for each squeegee arm. The members 4| are secured to the forward side bar 3| of the carriage assembly 24 adjacent those regions ofthe screen S which are to be cleared by the squeegees S1 and S2. Each member 4| (Figs. 1 and 5) comprises a face plate 42 having pivoted thereto a lifting cam piece 43 which normally occupies an inclined position and which loosely rests upon a pin 44 secured on the plate 42. Each squeegee arm 38 and 39 is provided with a forwardly projecting pin 45 which is adapted -to be engaged by one or another of the cam pieces 43 upon movement of the carriage 24 in one direction or the other in such a manner that the pin 45 rides upwardly over the cam piece 43 and falls by gravity onto a. rest 46 formed on the plate 42. Upon movement of the screen in the other direction, the pin 45 moves oi of the rest 46 and the squeegee rides downwardly on an incline 41 formed on the plate'42 and comes into contact with the screen S in its respective region of4 color application. As the pin 45 passses the cam piece 43, the latter trips lightly over the same with no eiect whatsoever thereon, and thus the squeegee is not disturbed -or elevated from the screen once it has made contact therewith preparatory to traversing its respective color applying region.

Referring now to Fig 1, it will lie seen that withV the carriage 24 in the extreme right hand position indicated, the squeegee arms 38 and 49 overlie the respective tumblers T supported in the units I6 beneath the screen S in their respective color applying regions R1 and R2. Ihe screen S is slightly spaced from the surfaces of the tumblers T and means is provided for elevating the entire article supporting assembly a slight distance in order to close the gap existing between the screen S and the tumblers T. This elevation of the article supporting assembly, together with the pressure exerted by the squeegee upon the screen when the same are lowered into operative decorating engagement therewith, and which causes the screen to become fixed, permits the surfacesof the tumblers T to make tangential rolling line Contact with the screen when the same is moved in either direction.

Additionally, in order that the commencement and termination of each application of color to the opposite sides of the tumbler T shall not be left to the discretion of the operator of the apparatus, means is provided for arresting movement of the carriage after the color applying regions R1 and R2 have been traversed by their respective squeegees S1 and S2.

The means for elevating the article supporting assembly and for arresting movement of the carriage 2t, just referred to, comprises the plunger latch mechanism if.; previously mentioned, to-

gether with a latch bar 5c (Fig` 2) which. coopcrates therewith. The latch bar 55E is suspended from the front side bar of the carriage 2d and is movable therewith. An elongated slot 5 is formed in the latch bar a@ and the length thereof depends upon the extent or amplitude edge of the table lll. The latch mechanism consists of a cylinder 53 (Fig. Il) in which there is disposed a lower plunger 5c to which the link 3| that supports the forward end of the article supporting arm i3 is attached. The plunger 5d is normally maintained in an elevated position by means of a coil spring 55 and is adapted to be lowered upon lowering of the article supporting arm E3 when the treadle mechamsm (previously mentioned) is actuated. An upper pilinger 56 isV connected to the lower plunger 54 by means of a pin and slot connection 5l' and is normally maintained spaced from the lower plungeryand extended from the cylinder 53 by means of a coil spring 58 of less capacity than the coil spring 55. The plunger 56 hears against the underneath side of the latch bar 50 and slides therealong as the carriage 24 is reciprocated. The pressure of the coil spring 58, acting upon. the coil spring 55, serves to limit the extent of upward movement of the plunger 54 and consequently the upper surfaces of the tumblers T are maintained close to the lower surface of the screen but out of contact therewith. Shortly after the carriage 24 has commenced its stroke in either direction and the squeegees have come into contact with their respective color applying regions R1 and R2, the upper plunger 5S en.- counters the slot 5| and is projected upwardly therethrough, thus releasing the pressure of the spring 58 on the spring 55 and permitting the latter to expand and raise the plunger 54 to close the gap existing between the tumblers T and the screen S. The upper plunger 56 remains in the slot until both color applications of the design or designs have been made on the respective tumblers T.

As the extreme end of the slot engages the upper plunger 56, the carriage 24 is abruptly halted and the operator must actuate the treadle mechanism to lower the tumbler supporting assembly and thus remove both tumblers T from engagement with their respective color applying regions R1 and R2 of the screen S. At the same time, the upper plunger 56 is withdrawn from the slot 5I by virtue of the pin and slot connection 51 to enable the carriage 24 to be moved to its extreme positionon the tracks 22 and 23.

As has been previously stated, the differently colored designs or the component colors of the single design which are to be applied to each article T are stenciledupon the articles progressively by the expedient of transferring the articles from one supporting unit I6 to the other. In order that the second design or color application shall be properly positioned upon the articles, a locating pin 60 or pointer is adjustably clamped by means of a set screw 6| to the unit I6 of the color applying region R2.

A pair of handles 62 are mounted on the for- Ward ends of the carriage side bars 26 to facilitate manual reciprocation of the carriage 24. Limit stops 63 are adjustably mounted on the forward track 22 by means of set screws 64 to vary the amplitude of reciprocation of the carriage 24. These limit stops are adaptedv to be engaged by the front wheels 25 of the carriage to determine the extreme positions thereof.

In the operation of the apparatus, a tumbler T to be decorated is placed upon the article supporting unit i6 beneath the color applying region R1, a. partially decorated tumbler T being subported on the article supporting unit I6 beneath the color applying region R2. Upon release of the foot treadle mechanism, the plate l5 (Fig. 2) assumes a substantially horizontal position and the articles remain supported on their respective units i6 with their surfaces slightly spaced from the underneath side of the screen S in the respective color applying regions R1 and R2 thereof; With the carriage 24 in the position indicated in Fig. 1, the upper plunger 56 (Figs. 2 andI 4) bears against the underneath side of the latch bar 50 adjacent one end thereof.v In this position of the carriage, the pins 45 of the squeegee arms 38 and 39 (Fig. 1) are supported directly upon the rests 46 of the squeegee elevating members 4I and thus both squeegees S1 and S2 are held out of contact with the screen.

In order to commence the decorating operation and apply the diierently colored designs orl the component colors of a. single design to the respective tumblers T supported in the units I6, the operator engages one of the handles 62 and .moves the carriage 24 toward the left on the tracks 22 and 23. The pins 45 of the squeegee arms 38 and 39 simultaneously move from the rests 46, travel downwardly on the inclines 41,. and come into contact with the upper surface of the stencil screen in their respective color applying regions R1 and-'R2 Shortly after movement of the carriage 24 has commenced, the upper plunger 56 is released into the slot'5l and the release of downward pressure on the lower plunger 54 formerlyexerted by the coil spring 58 permits the coil spring 55 to expand and raise the entire article supporting assembly until the'tumblers T engage the underneath side of the screen S in the respective color applying regions R1 and R2.

Movement of the carriage 24 along the tracks 22 and 23 forces the coloring material placed upon the screen in the regions R1 and R2 through the screen and onto the respective surfaces of the tumblers T by the spreading action of the-two squeegees S1 and S2.

After the respective designs or the component colors of the single design have been applied to the tumblers T, the upper plunger 56 engages the end of the slot 5l and motion of the carriage 24 is abruptly terminated. The operator must then depress the treadle mechanism before the carriage can be moved to its extreme position.` This being done, the pins 45 mounted on the endsof the squeegee arms 38 and 39 ride upwardly on the cam pieces 43 of the members 4i pass completelyI thereover, and fall by gravity onto the restsI 46 as the carriage reaches its limiting position. 'Thus the. squeegees S1 and S2 are caused to clear the enamel composition on the screen in their respective color applying regions R1 and R2.A

At this stage in the decoration of. the tumblers, the completely decorated tumbler T is removed from' the supporting unit I6 and the partially decorated tumbler is transferred to the unit which is vacated by the removal. An undecorated tumbler is substituted for 4the partially decorated tumbler. The foot treadle is again actuated and lthe entire operation just described is repeated but with the stencil screen carriage 24 moving in the opposite direction.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, while the improved multi-color decorating apparatus has been shown and described in connection withy an apparatus of the type employing a reciprocable stencil screen which moves horizontally in a straight line, the invention, by slight modification thereof, may be adapted for use in an apparatus of the type employing an oscillatable stencil screen which oscillates about a ilxed center.

We claim:

1. In a multi-color stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen movable in its own plane and provided with spaced pervlous portions, means for supporting a plurality of articles having curved surfaces in tangential rolling line contact with said screen. and -a squeegee for each pervious portion of the screen.

2. In a multi-color stenciling apparatus, a.

stencil screen movable in its own plane and provided with spaced pervious portions-means for supporting a plurality of articles having curved surfaces in tangentialv rolling line contact with said screen, and a relatively stationary squeegee for each pervious portion in contact with said screen, said squeegees being adapted to traversev their respective pervious portions of the screen upon movement of the latter.

3. In a multi-color stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen movable in its own plane and provided with spaced pervious portions, means for supporting a plurality of surfaces in tangential rolling line contact with said screen, and a plurality of relatively stationary squeegees in contact with said screen, said squeegees being spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between corresponding points on said pervious portions of the screen. ,s

articles having curved 4. In a stenciling apparatus, 4a reciprocable stencil screen movable in its own plane from one extreme position to another, said screen being divided transversely to its direction of movement into adjacent color applying regions, a squeegee for each color applying region, means for supporting a plurality of articles having curved `surfaces in tangential rolling line contact with said screen, and means operable upon movement of said screen in one direction for causing said squeegees to simultaneously traverse their respective color applying regions in operative decorating contact with said screen.

5. In a lstenciling apparatus, a reciprocable vstencil screen movable in its own plane from one extreme position to another, said screen being divided transversely to its direction of movement into adjacent color applying regions, a squeegee for each color applying region, and means oper able` upon movement of said screen in either direction for causing said squeegees to simultaneously traverse their respective color applying regions in operative decorating contact with said screen.

6. In a multi-color stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen movable in its own plane, said screen being divided into a plurality of color applying regions through which differently colored decorating materials are adapted to be respectively forced, a realtively stationary article support positioned beneath said stencil screen, means on said support for supporting a plurality of articles having curved surfaces in tangential rolling line contact with said screen in the respective regions of color application, and a plurality of relatively stationary squeegees in Contact with said screen in the respective regions of color application.

7. In a multi-color stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen movable in its own plane and Aprovided with spaced pervious portions through which differently colored decorating materials are adapted to be forced, an article supporting carriage, means on said carriage for supporting a plurality of articles having curved surfaces in tangential rolling line contact with the screen, a squeegee for each pervious portion of the screen, and means for moving said carriage away from said screen to remove the articles supported thereby from contact with said screen simultaneously.

8. In a stenciling apparatus, a reciprocable stencil screen carriage including a stencil screen movable with the carriage in its own plane in opposite directions from one extreme position to another, means for supporting an article having a curved surface in tangential rolling line contact with said stencil screen, a relatively stationary squeegee in contact with said screen for forcing coloring material placed on said screen through the latter and onto the article, said squeegee being movable to a position out'of Contact with said screen to clear the coloring material thereon, a cam member pivoted to said carriage, means for supporting said cam' member so that one surface thereof is inclinedv upwardly, and a finger on said squeegee positioned in the path of movement of said inclined surface, said nger being adapted to be engaged by said surface as said carriage moves'in one direction, a rest on said carriage in the vicinity of said cam member onto which said nger falls prior to a change in direction of movement of the carriage, said cam member being adapted to trip over said finger as said carriage moves in the opposite direction.

9. In a stenciling apparatus, a reciprocahle stencil screen carriage including a stencil screen movable with the carriage in its own plane in opposite directions from one extreme position to another, means for supporting an article having a curved surface in tangential rolling line contact with said stencil screen, a relatively stationary squeegee in Contact with said screen for forcing coloring material placed on said screen through the latter and onto the article, said squeegee being movable to a position out of conu tact with said screen to clear the coloring material thereon, a cam member pivoted to said carriage, means for supporting said cam member so that one surface thereof is inclined upwardly, 

